For families and friends of Sailors who are stationed at Norfolk; for either Sea Duty or Shore Duty Sailors. Just make sure to keep OPSEC issues in mind and not disclose ship movements in advance.
abuon18...she did make it to her ship!! She put her stuff away and got to bed around 2 am. She's not on duty this weekend so she gets to explore and get familiar with the place until Tuesday. She's found some friends and talked to her chief and things are moving along. Sounds like her plans are a bit up in the air but that's the military...Navy flexible!!! May the journey begin!! Again, very grateful for the support she got yesterday. This website has been a lifesaver.
Not a mom, but my husband and I open our home on the weekends and Holidays and invite sailors to come over. We feed them, play board games, do some outdoor activities.Let us know if your sailor might be interested. :)
My son will be with the HM 15. When not deployed does your son live on base? Is this what your son has always wanted to do? My son is undesignated so I am not sure what he will be qualified to do. Any info you can give will be greatly appreciated.
If your sons are here in Norfolk we would be happy to invite them over to our home on the weekends. Go to our page on this site and you can find out more of what we do. We feed them, play board games, go to special events in the area. We are like a 'home away from home' for them. We've been doing this for 17 years. :)
My son is in HSC 22 and he's been in for several years. Unfortunately for me, he deploys a lot. When he's on base he does live in the barracks. My son chose the Navy his senior year of high school when he realized college was really expensive. We live in a small rural community and there was nothing here for him. He made the choice to get out and do more. I don't know how undesignated works so I can't help you with that. Funny that Miss Yvonne commented here earlier because I was going to send you to her. Her and her husband are retired Navy and they love to adopt our children! (Yay!) She or Mr. John can probably give you the any real Navy information that you want. I can tell how my son feels about the barracks but the day-to-day-workings of his job or squadron. Welcome to the Navy Mom world!
If anyone is looking for a B&B to stay at in VB my son recommends Beach Spa Bed & Breakfast. He and his GF stayed there over Thanksgiving - it's about 2 blocks from the beach. He said it was really nice - and the owners were fantastic.
Hi all. Hope everyone has a happy holiday! My sailor’s ship is headed to the shipyard in the New Year. Any advice for him? Also, what are living conditions? I assume he will still be on the ship, but I don’t know. Any info and advice is greatly appreciated.
Misisu, When my son reported to his ship, it was in the shipyard for repairs. No one could live on the ship. He was assigned to live on board a berthing barge docked nearby. Your sailor's experience may be different.
Just wanted you two to know that my husband and I open our home on the weekends and invite the sailors over for food and board games on Saturday evenings and on Sundays for a sit down home cooked lunch. Sometimes we watch movies, play games or just get to know each other. Please let them know that if they want to hang out with us and other sailors, they are more than welcome to come over and get away from their ships. :)
Yvonne and John
P.S. You can check out our page on this site to find out more about us. :)
My son will be finishing up Sub school in Groton in March and will be heading to Norfolk. I was wondering how the barracks are set up? Are they more like dorm rooms or are they more apartment like where they have a small kitchen so they can cook some things for themselves? TIA!
I know some of the barracks are set up with a kitchenette, a bathroom and two bedrooms. The kitchenette usually has a microwave and a fridge.
I would like to let you know that my husband and I invite any sailors who want to, to come over to our home on the weekends. We feed them, play board games, watch movies, watch some sports , etc. We also go to special events in the area. You can find out more about us if you go to our page on this site. :) Maybe you can let him know about us.
Happy to hear your daughter is going to school in Norfolk. Just like I told Wendy520, we'd like to invite your daughter to join us on the weekends if she is allowed off base. :) Let me know if she's interested and I can pm you our cell # or if she is okay with this , we can get in touch with her.
Hi my son is currently in Norfolk completing his FRS training and just received his orders for the Helicopter Mine Countermeasures HM-14 Squadron. Also known as Vanguard. Is there a group on here for that squadron?
TACsMom - I did a search for Vanguard and the only thing that came up was the aircrew group. Maybe someone there is also a member of your son's squadron:
We know you worry about your sons and daughters here in Norfolk/Virginia Beach. I would like you to know that my husband and I provide our home for these Sailors as a place to come over on the weekends, hang out, play board games, eat home cooked meals, even cook if they want to :) and go to activities in our area(re-enactments, Williamsburg, and even trips to the Outer Banks in NC. Please let your sailors know about us. We can pm our cell number to any of you. To know a little bit more about us, go to our page on this site.
My son is at Norfolk-just arrived and needs to get his taxes done. He says it is too long of a walk. He will be deploying on a ship soon. Can he just do his taxes online?
Jayne - we do our taxes online every year. TurboTax offers free federal filing for E5 and below. Not sure about state because our state of residency is FL so we don't have to file state taxes.
Jayne, I sent you a friend request and a private message. Also if you go to our page on this site you will see more of what we do on the weekends with the sailors.
My family is headed to visit our sailor in the area next week. Does anyone have any recommendations on things to do, places to visit or eat that are not very expensive? We would appreciate the input. Thanks
Misisu: Your sailor can get a National Park Servce Interagency Annual - Military Pass for free. "This is a free pass for active duty military personnel and their dependents, with valid documentation (CAC Card or DD Form 1173). Valid for 12 months from issue date. The Military Annual Pass admits passholder and three accompanying adults unlimited admittance." The Yorktown Battlefield and Jamestown Settlement are north of Norfolk if you are up for a short drive.
In downtown Norfolk you can tour Battleship Wisconsin at the Nauticus (https://nauticus.org/).
Touring your sailors ship is also a great time. Always nice to see where they spend their time.
You can tour Cape Henry Lighthouse and walking along the beach in Virginia Beach Boardwalk for free.
Here are a few links I saved prior to previous trips to Norfolk in case they are helpful.
Norfolk Naval Tour and Information Center: 45min Guided Tour
Chesapeake Bay Distillery: Tours on Saturday. Located at the intersection of 17th Street and Baltic Avenue, our new facility features a Vabc store and the Blue Ridge Tasting Room. Per Virginia ABC requirements, the tasting event allows for four one half ounce samples of alcohol. These are available for our patrons at $7. Tours are available 12p-4p on Saturdays at no charge for our patrons: https://www.chesapeakebaydistillery.com
Hello, wanting to know, if any mom lives in northfolk, I do . I haven't been able to find any other mom, out here. Wonder if I am the only one. Your children probably have been at my house, with my son. I am planning a cookout before deployment. I know that they will all miss a home cooked meal.
I am still learning my way around , coming from Florida, kind of new at all of this, but trying, for my son.
We have been to Florida, Texas, Mississippi and now Virginia with my son, Naval Aviator. Toured the base and WOW was it big. Found a good dog watcher a few blocks from the base ! Probably going on his first deployment in August.
Good morning, new to the group. Oldest Sailor and his family will be arriving in Norfolk, via Hawaii, very soon. He does not have a boat yet and is looking for a house in Virginia Beach. Just wanted to say hi and looking forward to having them back on the east coast!
Good morning Yvonne and John. Thank you for the welcome! I think they are looking at 3 and 4 bedrooms. They have been in Hawaii for 2 1/2 years, and all of the family is located in New England, so they want a big house for when we all come to visit!! They will be there early next week and still dont know if they are renting or staying in a long term hotel. They say their realtor is looking for rentals, but, so far, no luck. They have 2 subdivisions in mind. I will take a look when I get home and let you know where they are! Thank you for the info...)))
Welcome Johanna! A good group on Facebook to join is the closed one called “Navy Home Search,”’ where great networking goes on between Navy folks searching and offering homes for lease and for sale.
Hey B’sNukeMoM...I am going to sound like a real prize as I have NO idea how to find your PM...yours is the first one I have ever gotten...))) Is it on this page or “My Page”?
Hi! My sailor is in C school in Dam Neck for a while. I am going to visit soon and I am looking for recommendations on where to stay. Navy accommodations are not available.
paigec
abuon18...she did make it to her ship!! She put her stuff away and got to bed around 2 am. She's not on duty this weekend so she gets to explore and get familiar with the place until Tuesday. She's found some friends and talked to her chief and things are moving along. Sounds like her plans are a bit up in the air but that's the military...Navy flexible!!! May the journey begin!! Again, very grateful for the support she got yesterday. This website has been a lifesaver.
Oct 7, 2017
Andrea
any mom's on here have kid heading or currently attending C school at Dam Neck
Oct 8, 2017
John and Yvonne
Not a mom, but my husband and I open our home on the weekends and Holidays and invite sailors to come over. We feed them, play board games, do some outdoor activities.Let us know if your sailor might be interested. :)
Yvonne and John
Oct 9, 2017
cao503
Hello,
My son has been assigned to a helo squadron in Norfolk. Anyone have any sailors with similar assignments?
Oct 24, 2017
juliw
Hi cao503! My son is attached to an HSC squadron. That's helicopter sea combat and rescue. He's currently deployed though.
Oct 24, 2017
cao503
Hi Julie,
My son will be with the HM 15. When not deployed does your son live on base? Is this what your son has always wanted to do? My son is undesignated so I am not sure what he will be qualified to do. Any info you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Oct 24, 2017
John and Yvonne
to Moms,
If your sons are here in Norfolk we would be happy to invite them over to our home on the weekends. Go to our page on this site and you can find out more of what we do. We feed them, play board games, go to special events in the area. We are like a 'home away from home' for them. We've been doing this for 17 years. :)
Yvonne and John
Oct 25, 2017
juliw
My son is in HSC 22 and he's been in for several years. Unfortunately for me, he deploys a lot. When he's on base he does live in the barracks. My son chose the Navy his senior year of high school when he realized college was really expensive. We live in a small rural community and there was nothing here for him. He made the choice to get out and do more. I don't know how undesignated works so I can't help you with that. Funny that Miss Yvonne commented here earlier because I was going to send you to her. Her and her husband are retired Navy and they love to adopt our children! (Yay!) She or Mr. John can probably give you the any real Navy information that you want. I can tell how my son feels about the barracks but the day-to-day-workings of his job or squadron. Welcome to the Navy Mom world!
Oct 25, 2017
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
If anyone is looking for a B&B to stay at in VB my son recommends Beach Spa Bed & Breakfast. He and his GF stayed there over Thanksgiving - it's about 2 blocks from the beach. He said it was really nice - and the owners were fantastic.
Nov 29, 2017
Navymomof2daughters
Hello, my daugher is completing A school and will need to report to Norfolk at some point after the holiday.
Dec 5, 2017
misisu
Hi all. Hope everyone has a happy holiday! My sailor’s ship is headed to the shipyard in the New Year. Any advice for him? Also, what are living conditions? I assume he will still be on the ship, but I don’t know. Any info and advice is greatly appreciated.
Dec 26, 2017
SoCal_Sailor_Dad
Misisu, When my son reported to his ship, it was in the shipyard for repairs. No one could live on the ship. He was assigned to live on board a berthing barge docked nearby. Your sailor's experience may be different.
Dec 26, 2017
John and Yvonne
misisu and Navymomof2daughters,
Just wanted you two to know that my husband and I open our home on the weekends and invite the sailors over for food and board games on Saturday evenings and on Sundays for a sit down home cooked lunch. Sometimes we watch movies, play games or just get to know each other. Please let them know that if they want to hang out with us and other sailors, they are more than welcome to come over and get away from their ships. :)
Yvonne and John
P.S. You can check out our page on this site to find out more about us. :)
Jan 17, 2018
John and Yvonne
P.P. S. We live in Virginia Beach, VA. :)
Y and J
Jan 17, 2018
Wendy520
My son will be finishing up Sub school in Groton in March and will be heading to Norfolk. I was wondering how the barracks are set up? Are they more like dorm rooms or are they more apartment like where they have a small kitchen so they can cook some things for themselves? TIA!
Jan 28, 2018
John and Yvonne
Wendy520,
I know some of the barracks are set up with a kitchenette, a bathroom and two bedrooms. The kitchenette usually has a microwave and a fridge.
I would like to let you know that my husband and I invite any sailors who want to, to come over to our home on the weekends. We feed them, play board games, watch movies, watch some sports , etc. We also go to special events in the area. You can find out more about us if you go to our page on this site. :) Maybe you can let him know about us.
Yvonne and John
Jan 29, 2018
John and Yvonne
ProudNavyMom,
Happy to hear your daughter is going to school in Norfolk. Just like I told Wendy520, we'd like to invite your daughter to join us on the weekends if she is allowed off base. :) Let me know if she's interested and I can pm you our cell # or if she is okay with this , we can get in touch with her.
Yvonne and John
Jan 29, 2018
ismenia
Feb 27, 2018
TACsMom
Hi my son is currently in Norfolk completing his FRS training and just received his orders for the Helicopter Mine Countermeasures HM-14 Squadron. Also known as Vanguard. Is there a group on here for that squadron?
Feb 27, 2018
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
TACsMom - I did a search for Vanguard and the only thing that came up was the aircrew group. Maybe someone there is also a member of your son's squadron:
http://navyformoms.ning.com/group/aircrew
Feb 27, 2018
ismenia
Feb 27, 2018
John and Yvonne
To all you moms out there,
We know you worry about your sons and daughters here in Norfolk/Virginia Beach. I would like you to know that my husband and I provide our home for these Sailors as a place to come over on the weekends, hang out, play board games, eat home cooked meals, even cook if they want to :) and go to activities in our area(re-enactments, Williamsburg, and even trips to the Outer Banks in NC. Please let your sailors know about us. We can pm our cell number to any of you. To know a little bit more about us, go to our page on this site.
Yvonne and John
Feb 28, 2018
jayne
My son is at Norfolk-just arrived and needs to get his taxes done. He says it is too long of a walk. He will be deploying on a ship soon. Can he just do his taxes online?
Mar 3, 2018
abuon18
Mar 3, 2018
jayne
My son's ship is out of Aviation war pin guidebooks. Does anyone know how I can get him a copy?
Mar 8, 2018
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Hi jayne, navybmr.com has study guides. Here's the link: navybmr.com warfare study guides
Mar 20, 2018
John and Yvonne
Jayne, I sent you a friend request and a private message. Also if you go to our page on this site you will see more of what we do on the weekends with the sailors.
Yvonne and John
Mar 23, 2018
misisu
My family is headed to visit our sailor in the area next week. Does anyone have any recommendations on things to do, places to visit or eat that are not very expensive? We would appreciate the input. Thanks
Mar 25, 2018
CindyN
Misisu: Your sailor can get a National Park Servce Interagency Annual - Military Pass for free. "This is a free pass for active duty military personnel and their dependents, with valid documentation (CAC Card or DD Form 1173). Valid for 12 months from issue date. The Military Annual Pass admits passholder and three accompanying adults unlimited admittance." The Yorktown Battlefield and Jamestown Settlement are north of Norfolk if you are up for a short drive.
In downtown Norfolk you can tour Battleship Wisconsin at the Nauticus (https://nauticus.org/).
Touring your sailors ship is also a great time. Always nice to see where they spend their time.
You can tour Cape Henry Lighthouse and walking along the beach in Virginia Beach Boardwalk for free.
Here are a few links I saved prior to previous trips to Norfolk in case they are helpful.
Norfolk Naval Tour and Information Center: 45min Guided Tour
http://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrma/installations/ns_norfolk/abo...
Cape Henry Lighthouses: https://www.nps.gov/came/cape-henry-lighthouses.htm
Military Aviation Museum: http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org
Sandbridge Beach: http://www.sandbridgebeachva.com
Chesapeake Bay Distillery: Tours on Saturday. Located at the intersection of 17th Street and Baltic Avenue, our new facility features a Vabc store and the Blue Ridge Tasting Room. Per Virginia ABC requirements, the tasting event allows for four one half ounce samples of alcohol. These are available for our patrons at $7. Tours are available 12p-4p on Saturdays at no charge for our patrons: https://www.chesapeakebaydistillery.com
Reaver Beach Brewing: Tap Room, no tours: http://www.reaverbeach.com/
Enjoy your trip!
Mar 25, 2018
ismenia
I am still learning my way around , coming from Florida, kind of new at all of this, but trying, for my son.
Mar 27, 2018
PA Navy Mom 1st
We have been to Florida, Texas, Mississippi and now Virginia with my son, Naval Aviator. Toured the base and WOW was it big. Found a good dog watcher a few blocks from the base ! Probably going on his first deployment in August.
Mar 27, 2018
hockeyx2mama
Hi ismenia - i just messaged you, friend request.
Mar 29, 2018
Liberty
Hi everyone. My son left today on deployment anyone else?
Apr 12, 2018
Proud AG Mama
My Sailor left yesterday as well. What ship is yours on?
Apr 12, 2018
Liberty
He is on the USS Bulkeley-. What about your sailor?
Apr 14, 2018
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Good Morning and Happy Monday!
For anyone whose sailor may have recently deployed alongside the Truman please feel free to join the Truman page :
http://navyformoms.ning.com/group/ussharrystruman
Apr 23, 2018
Johanna
Good morning, new to the group. Oldest Sailor and his family will be arriving in Norfolk, via Hawaii, very soon. He does not have a boat yet and is looking for a house in Virginia Beach. Just wanted to say hi and looking forward to having them back on the east coast!
Apr 24, 2018
John and Yvonne
Johanna.
What size house are they looking for and do they want to rent or buy? The house across the street from us is going on the market soon.
Yvonne and John
Apr 25, 2018
John and Yvonne
And by the way, welcome to the group!
:)
Yvonne and John
Apr 25, 2018
Johanna
Good morning Yvonne and John. Thank you for the welcome! I think they are looking at 3 and 4 bedrooms. They have been in Hawaii for 2 1/2 years, and all of the family is located in New England, so they want a big house for when we all come to visit!! They will be there early next week and still dont know if they are renting or staying in a long term hotel. They say their realtor is looking for rentals, but, so far, no luck. They have 2 subdivisions in mind. I will take a look when I get home and let you know where they are! Thank you for the info...)))
Apr 25, 2018
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom
Welcome Johanna! A good group on Facebook to join is the closed one called “Navy Home Search,”’ where great networking goes on between Navy folks searching and offering homes for lease and for sale.
Apr 25, 2018
Johanna
Hi Marcy, thank you for the heads up,,, I’m on it!!!
Apr 25, 2018
John and Yvonne
Good morning Johanna. Your son and his family have been spoiled! I know we were...we spent two tours of 3 years each in Hawaii and loved it!
And we also lived in Maine for 5 years. :) We love New England also!
I hope they find a nice place...should they decide to buy, the house across the street goes on the market in July. :)
Yvonne and John
Apr 26, 2018
Johanna
Hello Yvonne and John! I shared your info with “the kids” and I will keep you posted, and yes, they have been spoiled...))))
Apr 26, 2018
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Johanna - I sent you a PM.
Apr 26, 2018
Johanna
Hey B’sNukeMoM...I am going to sound like a real prize as I have NO idea how to find your PM...yours is the first one I have ever gotten...))) Is it on this page or “My Page”?
Apr 27, 2018
Johanna
Haha!!! Just needed more coffee!!! I found it, thank you...)))
Apr 27, 2018
navvvy22
Does anyone know who to call to get where a sailor is specifically based at Norfolk?
May 8, 2018
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Hi navvvy22 - I think you would need to ask your sailor that directly. I don't believe there's anyone who would/could give you that info otherwise.
May 8, 2018
barefootie
Hi! My sailor is in C school in Dam Neck for a while. I am going to visit soon and I am looking for recommendations on where to stay. Navy accommodations are not available.
May 15, 2018